This is a reminder to those affected by the South Napa Earthquake that the deadline to apply for assistance from the federal government is December 29, 2014.

The good news: many have already applied and received support. As of Sunday, we estimate that:

Nearly 2,500 Napa County households have received FEMA grants totaling about $7 million

More than 425 households have received low-interest SBA loans totaling about $16 million

35 businesses have received SBA loans totaling about $3 million.

How you can help: in the aftermath of a federally declared disaster, SBA is the primary source of funding for homeowners and businesses--and hundreds of your friends and neighbors who were referred to SBA have not yet completed their applications. As of Sunday, we estimate that:

Only 27% of those referred to SBA have completed and returned an application

This return rate is far below SBA's national average of 41%

Therefore, as many as 500 applications which should be in-process have not yet been returned.

In the days ahead, I hope you'll share this email with the people in your Napa Valley networks; with your clients and friends and associates; with fellow parents from school; with members of your faith community or service club; with neighbors and colleagues.

I hope you'll encourage the people you know to register with FEMA, if they haven't done so already, and complete their SBA loan applications, if they elected to stop mid-stream. (Please see links, below, to apply.)

As time passes and nature has her way, small problems hidden from plain view--in roofs and attics; in chimneys and foundations--can turn into big safety issues, and even bigger financial challenges, for local residents. Completing an SBA loan application doesn't obligate people to take on a loan, if one is approved. But it does give them more options, and very often a better understanding of any needed repairs (both SBA and FEMA send professionals to inspect homes and businesses, at no cost).

Moreover, to be eligible for a grant from the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, which was created with a $10 million lead gift from Napa Valley Vintners following the August 24 South Napa Earthquake, business owners and homeowners will need to demonstrate that they have first applied for federal aid, if they are eligible to do so, and share completed federal application materials with our nonprofit partners. (Please see links, below, to apply.)

Thank you in advance for any help you might offer in sharing this information with others.

At this time of year, many of us are accustomed to gazing hopefully, rather than fearfully, at our chimneys. My wish for the whole community is that people will soon step forward to apply for assistance, wherever feasible, so future holidays can be celebrated safely and with more financial security.

Sincerely,

Terence P. Mulligan

President

How to apply for government earthquake assistance

Homeowners may register with FEMA at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or 800-621-3362 or, by smart phone, at m.fema.gov. For in-person assistance with the application process, residents can visit the Local Assistance Center in Napa before December 29th, whose address and hours of operation are available at www.napaquakeinfo.com.

Business owners may apply directly to the Small Business Administration at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. For in-person assistance with the application process, business owners can visit the Local Assistance Center in Napa before December 29th, whose address and hours of operation are available at www.napaquakeinfo.com.

How to apply for a grant from the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund

To be eligible for a grant from the Fund, you must follow these three steps:

Apply for a disaster loan from the SBA. If your loan application is declined, or if your losses exceed your approved loan amount, then:

Apply for a grant from the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund.

Homeowners who have followed the three steps above may apply online by visiting this website to download and complete an application. Please note that copies of your FEMA and SBA forms will be required to complete the application process. For assistance with your application:

Mobile Homeowners who have followed the three steps above may apply by contacting Fair Housing Napa Valley. Please note that copies of your FEMA and SBA forms will be required to complete the application process. For assistance with your application:

Small Business Owners who have followed the three steps above may apply by visiting the Local Assistance Center and speaking with our partners from the Napa-Sonoma Small Business Development Center. Please note that a FEMA application is not required for small business owners to be considered for a grant from the Disaster Relief Fund, but an SBA disaster loan must be pursued before a grant from the Fund will be considered. Copies of your SBA forms will be required to complete the application process

Call (707) 256-7253 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time

Visit the Local Assistance Center (LAC) at 301 First Street in Napa, during the times listed here.